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6 January 2026 Charbonneau Villager

By DAVE MAUK

Trees do more than mark the changing seasons, provide habitat for birds and shade for what’ s beneath their leafy

MAUK canopies. Trees also clean the air of carbon dioxide, reduce soil erosion, keep streams and rivers cool for native fish and conserve energy.

Wilsonville was first recognized as an Arbor Day Foundation Tree City USA in 1997. This year is the 29th consecutive year the city has maintained this recognition. Sixty-eight Oregon communities are designated as Tree City USA cities. Salem is the longest running city at 50 years. Only 14 communities have received the‘ Growth Award’ that Wilsonville has been awarded 12 times. This is awarded for communities that

Here are the oaks on SW French Prairie Road.

demonstrate a higher level of tree care. Ohio and Illinois are the two leading states in having the most Tree City USA communities and Growth Awards.

Wilsonville has approximately 30,000 street trees. 75 % of those are leafy deciduous species that shed their leaves in the fall, like our French

Prairie Road red oaks. The other 25 % are coniferous varieties, which maintain their green needles or leaves throughout the year. There are over 300 unique tree species making up this assortment of trees, with maple by far the largest individual group at around 30 %. Oaks are next at just under 10 %.

Charbonneau has about 900 public trees, with nearly all of those being our ubiquitous oaks, and its three main varieties make up 95 % of our total public tree inventory. The vast majority of our trees have a diameter greater than 12 inches( measured at 4.5 feet from ground level). Wilsonville’ s public trees, including those in Charbonneau, are inventoried, mapped and monitored as part of the city’ s asset management plan. Species’ diversity, age, canopy size, condition, pest control and nutrition are all evaluated.

The city and Charbonneau Country Club share in the maintenance and care of the public trees lining French Prairie Road. It’ s reassuring to learn that as these trees are now reaching their fifth decade of life, 95 % are listed as being in‘ fair’ to‘ good’ condition. However, the large red oaks are outgrowing their spaces. A time is approaching for a strategy that balances this constraint with canopy, hardscaping, safety and fiscal community goals.

To assist in this, arborists monitor and conduct‘ audits’ of the trees. Last summer this was done with city staff, property manager Rick Schram and arborist Nathan Lawrence. That data was presented at a Fireside Chat in the fall. The markings you may see on the trees indicate specific action for the future. It could be for extra nutrition, major or minor pruning or, as has been the case for several years, circumstances for selective removal.

This could be due to their health, or as a hazard to storm drains, water and sewer lines, sidewalks, curbs or homes beneath them. Short-term solutions will be blended into long-range future planning, with the preservation of French Prairie Road’ s oak trees a priority unless they pose a risk that can not otherwise be mitigated.

We know, living where we do, trees are elemental to preserving our quality of life and appreciation of nature. Healthy trees are a big reason we value living at Charbonneau, where we embrace the beauty and benefits trees provide us throughout the seasons. And before we realize it, spring will be upon us, with its green leaves overhead.

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Reach every resident in Charbonneau.

Call Nathan today! 503 / 789-9881

Tree & Shrub Pruning & Removals Spraying & Deep-Root Fertilization Stump Grinding & More... www. goodnewstree. com

Contact Rebecca Mansfield

Rebecca. Mansfield @ youroregonnews. com